Gifts That Bear Fruit - Part 3
This week we continue our discussion of the topic Gifts That Bear Fruit. Last week we started with The Gift of Forgiveness and The Gift of Patience. Did you have opportunity to develop and “give” either of those gifts to others?
Let’s move on today and look at three more gifts that we should develop in our own lives and then be ready to give to others that will in turn bear much fruit and glorify our Father.
Gift # 3: The Gift of Understanding
The gift of understanding revolves around learning to see the whole picture. To exemplify what I mean, let’s look at the life of Solomon.
Solomon knew that in order to be a good leader he would need WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING. He had watched his father rule and had observed the necessity of these qualities.
We read these words of Solomon in 1 Kings 3: 5-9. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” 6 And Solomon said: “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
7 Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. 9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”
We see from these verses that Solomon prayed for UNDERSTANDING – an ability to see the whole picture as he went about his responsibilities and his encounters with others. He knew the value of being able to understand all the details regarding the situations he faced. As we consider Gifts That Bear Fruit, let’s all purpose to develop and offer this Gift of Understanding to others.
Gift # 4: The Gift of Encouragement
Mothers of Nations, we should always be ready to give encouragement, not discouragement (no courage.)
Proverbs 15: 23 NLT reminds us, “Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!”
Proverbs 15: 28 NLT continues, “The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.”
So according to these two verses, each of us should be THINKING before we speak! We also should be making sure that our mouth does not overflow with evil words.
Let’s always remember that death and life are in the power of the tongue. Life-giving words are words of encouragement!
This Christmas season I purpose to develop and offer this Gift of Encouragement. How about you?
Gift # 5: The Gift of Time
Mothers of Nations, we need to be careful how we live our lives and endeavor to not live foolishly but like those who are wise. We read in Ephesians 5:15-16 NLT, 15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
Making the most of every opportunity means making effective use of our time. What does “making good use of our time” look like?
In Matthew 25:34-50, Jesus talked about taking time for others. Read this passage and observe some of His examples of taking time for others.
Jesus said, “I was hungry and you fed Me. I was thirsty and you gave Me drink. I was a stranger and you gave Me a home. I was naked and you clothed Me. I was sick and you visited Me.”
In Luke 10 we read about the Good Samaritan who saved a life by giving up his time … and his resources. What does “giving time” look like in your life – time with your spouse, your children, your loved ones, or simply strangers that come across your path.
This coming week let’s be mindful of giving the gift of time.
Dr. Sharon Predovich
